Archived Why SERVPRO Blog Posts
Benefits of Duct Cleaning
9/9/2022 (Permalink)
A brush running through cleaning the duct.
If you’re like most people, it’s been a long time since you have had your ducts cleaned. And in some cases your ducts may have never been cleaned at all! Duct cleaning isn’t something that many homeowners think about. It is rare that the ducts in a home are inspected regularly, or are routinely cleaned. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends you have your ducts cleaned every 3-5 years. SERVPRO of Casper has many years of duct cleaning experience, and have cleaned hundreds of duct systems.
The Benefits of Duct Cleaning
- You can reduce strain on your system. Over time, your air ducts accrue dust, dirt, and other contaminants, which can disrupt the airflow. So your HVAC system has to work harder, it can result in higher energy bills and possible operational issues.
- Improve air quality. A professional duct cleaning removes pet and human dander, fur, debris, and more from your system. By cleaning the system, it helps prevent the redistribution of dust and fine debris throughout your home.
- Reduce or eliminate odors. Sometimes odors linger throughout your home no matter how much you clean. In some cases, the problem could be from your duct system. If you have this issue, a duct cleaning can either reduce or eliminate the problem.
If you are interested in getting your ducts cleaned, SERVPRO of Casper offers FREE estimates. Call us anytime at 307-235-6558.
Office Safety
2/11/2022 (Permalink)
It's a desk setting with a laptop, cup of coffee, notebook, pen, and pencil, and phone, with sign that says work Safety
In manufacturing or industrial settings, businesses are very mindful of safety in the workplace. “Safety First” is a common phrase, because of the hazardous nature of these types of work. But it is very easy to forget the office environment, and the safety concerns there. Safety issues that get overlooked the most include ergonomics, the walk from the car to the office, the headset that being worn all day, and others. Here are some office safety concerns, and tips on how to fix them.
Physical Inactivity / sitting too long: Sitting for extended periods of time without movement puts office workers at risk for numerous health concerns. Going for small walks around the block, and doing leg, arm, and back exercises will help keep the circulation in your body moving.
Entering and leaving the office: watch for debris, such as rocks, trash, and uneven ground. Winter can bring on icy roads and parking lots. Shuffling your feet, or walking flat foot with slow short steps (like a penguin) will help prevent slipping.
The use of a headset: Wearing a telephone headset all day, or cradling the phone between your ear and shoulder can cause back and neck pain. Try taking off the headset periodically, and switching the phone between different shoulders will help. Doing neck and back exercises can be helpful as well.
Keeping your area cleaned up: Clean up spills right away. Keep piles of clutter away from walking paths. Keep electrical and phone cords tucked away so they don’t get tripped on.
Know your emergency procedures: Make sure you know where the exits are, and the location of fire extinguishers throughout the building.
Duct Cleaning
1/6/2022 (Permalink)
One of our technicians cleaning ducts.
When it comes to cleaning the home, duct cleaning is the most frequently-forgotten service. It’s not something you really look at everyday, such as windows, floors, and counters. But getting your ducts cleaned is just as important as getting your carpets cleaned, because it has a direct effect on the cleanliness of the air in your home.
There can be health benefits from getting your HVAC cleaned. Your HVAC systems have been shown to collect a variety of contaminants such as fungi, bacteria, dust, pet hair and dander. All these can be irritants, especially if you have allergies. Removing the contaminants will help the indoor air quality overall.
Doing a visual inspection of your ductwork is very simple. Remove a register, slide your smartphone into the duct (with the flash enabled), and take a picture. You may be surprised at how much loose debris is lurking in your ducts!
How often should you have your ducts cleaned? It depends on several factors, such as:
- If anybody smokes in the house
- If pets live in the house (especially those that shed high amounts of hair and dander
- If water damage has occurred in the ductwork
- Residents with allergies or asthma
- Recent home renovations or remodeling
- Moving into a home that had prior occupants
When picking an HVAC contractor, several factors should be considered. See if the company has been in business long enough to have adequate experience. Get proof that the company is properly licensed (if applicable in your state) and adequately insured. Make sure that the company is going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components. Avoid advertisements for “$99 whole house specials” and other sales gimmicks. Ask if the company has the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning, and if the company has done work in homes similar to yours.
If you are interested in a FREE duct cleaning estimate, call SERVPRO of Casper at 307-235-6558.
What To Do Incase Of Hypothermia
10/19/2021 (Permalink)
Signs of Hypothermia
In the winter months, hypothermia can be a very serious health hazard. It is important to know the basics of hypothermia, how to prevent it, and what to do if you or someone you know develops it.
Hypothermia – Is caused by prolonged exposures to very cold temperatures. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. Exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than its produced.
Body temperature that is too low can affect the brain, making it hard to think clearly or move well. This is why hypothermia is so dangerous. The person may not know what is happening to them, and won’t be able to do anything to help themselves.
Who is most at risk?
- Older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating
- Babies that sleep in cold rooms
- People who remain outdoors for an extended amount of time such as homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.
- People that drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs
Signs and Symptoms -
Adults:
- Shivering - Exhaustion or feeling very tired - Confusion
- Fumbling hands - Memory loss - Slurred speech
Babies:
- Bright red, cold skin
- Very low energy
When someone shows signs of possible hypothermia, take their temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, it is critical that you take immediate action.
If getting medical help is not possible right away, try warming the person up.
- Get to a warm room or shelter
- Remove wet clothing
- Warm the center of the body (chest, neck, head, and groin)
- Use electric blankets if possible, or skin-to-skin contact under loose blanket, clothes, etc.
- Drink warm liquids, not alcohol. It will help warm the person up, Do not attempt to give an unconscious person liquids
- Most importantly: when possible, get medical attention
A person with severe hypothermia could be unconscious. If that is the case, move the person gently and get them to medical assistance right away.
If the person is not breathing, or does not have a pulse, start CPR immediately. Continue with CPR until medical personnel arrives. Continue warming them up while giving CPR. In some severe cases, the person may still be resuscitated successfully.
Frostbite Prevention and When to Take Action
10/15/2021 (Permalink)
The different steps for frostbite.
Frostbite:
Frostbite is caused by freezing. The affected areas will have loss of feeling and color. The most common extremities that get affected are the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and in the most severe cases, lead to amputation.
Who is most at risk?
- Poor blood circulation
- Not properly dressed for extremely cold temperatures
Signs and symptoms of frostbite:
If there is redness or pain on any parts of the skin, get out of the cold and protect the exposed skin. Some of these other signs may point to frostbite:
- white or grayish-yellow skin area
- skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
- numbness
Someone may not know they have frostbite until it is pointed out. The frozen parts of their body are numb, and have no feeling.
When to take action:
If you see signs of frostbite on yourself or others, seek medical care. Make sure you also check for signs of hypothermia, as it can also be caused by exposure to cold temperatures. If anyone is showing signs, get emergency medical care.
- Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
- Do not walk on feet or toes that are frostbitten unless absolutely necessary. This could increase the damage.
- Don’t rub the frostbitten area or massage it, as this can cause more damage.
- Put the frostbitten areas in warm water, NOT hot water.
- If warm water is not available, use body heat. For example, if your fingers are frostbitten put them in your arm pit.
- Do not use a heating pad, heat lamp, stove, or fireplace. When areas are frostbitten, it is numb, and you can easily get burnt because you don’t realize how close you are.
Don't substitute these first aid steps for proper medical care. Frostbite injuries need to be examined by a qualified healthcare worker.
Fatigue in the work place
9/22/2021 (Permalink)
A lady slumped over her desk feeling fatigued. She has her laptop, with cups of coffee.
Work place fatigue can be a serious problem. Taking the right steps to make sure you’re taking care of yourself is very important. The Centers for Disease Control says that under regular circumstances, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, along with opportunities to rest while awake.
Long hours, shift work, stressful or physically-demanding work can lead to poor sleep and extreme fatigue. Everyone is different on what their individual needs for sleep and rest, but here are some ideas to help manage fatigue.
Improving your sleep:
- You’ll sleep better if your room is comfortable, dark, cool, and quiet.
- It shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes to fall asleep. If it does, take some time before bed to try meditation, relaxation breathing, or muscle relaxation.
- When you know you’re going to work a long stretch of shifts, try “banking” some extra sleep.
- After you work your extended shifts, plan on getting extra sleep afterward so you can start to recover.
- Avoid sunlight or bright light at least 90 minutes before going to sleep. The light exposure before bedtime can cause you to feel more awake.
- If you work a graveyard shift and you’re going home in the daylight, wear sunglasses. This will help cut down your light exposure.
- In your bedroom, get some black-out curtains or blinds.
- Take naps when you have the opportunity.
- Before working a night shift, try taking a 90-minute nap. This will help keep you from feeling tired at work.
- Eating healthy foods and staying physically active will help improve your sleep.
- Avoid foods or drinks before bed that could make falling a sleep more difficult.
- Avoid alcohol, heavy meals, nicotine for at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.
- Avoid caffeine at least 5 hours before bedtime.
Feel Tired in the Workplace?
8/3/2021 (Permalink)
A worker sitting in his office at desk feeling tired with his head on his laptop.
Depending on your work shifts, how many continuous days you’ve worked, or the stress of your job, its easy to get too tired to work safely. There are many things someone can do to help stay awake.
- Use the buddy system: check in with each other, see how they are handling the work hours and the demands. Watch your coworkers for signs of fatigue, such as yawning, having a hard time keeping their eyes open, or difficulty concentrating. Also be mindful of yourself, and be aware if you’re showing any of these signs as well. If you see any of your coworkers having any of these problems, say something. They may not even realize they are doing it. By speaking up, this can help prevent workplace injuries and errors.
- Find out if your employer has a program to help manage fatigue on the job. Ask questions to see if there are policies and procedures for helping employees manage fatigue.
- If there were any near misses, or events that were caused by fatigue, tell a manager right away. This will help help prevent injuries or errors.
- Don’t work if your fatigue threats the safety of yourself or others. Talk to your manager right away if you feel you can not work safely.
SERVPRO Service
2/3/2021 (Permalink)
Services
You may ask, why SERVPRO? Why are they the best choice for our cleaning and restoration needs? Here’s why: SERVPRO of Casper provides 24-hour emergency service, we respond immediately to emergencies, and we have the expertise to handle any restoration or cleaning needs, regardless of size.
We offer:
24-Hour Emergency Service
Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
We are Locally Owned and Operated
Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
Residential and Commercial Services:
Whether your home needs emergency flood response or general cleaning, we are here for you. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training, and we have the latest technology and equipment to take care your property. The services we provide:
Water Damage Restoration
Fire Damage Restoration
Mold Remediation
Storm Damage Restoration
Bio-hazard Services
Cleaning Services
Commercial Services
Commercial Water Damage Restoration
Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
Fire or water damage never comes at the most convenient time. That’s why we are available 24/7,
365 days a year. Getting us out to your property and starting the cleaning up process is very important for several reasons. Every hour its not being cleaned up, water damage can become worse by more deeply saturating building materials. The sanitary condition of the water can degrade, requiring more material removal, and increasing the cost of the job. Rapid response by SERVPRO of Casper can save you both time and money.
When the need for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services should come up, we have the training and expertise to respond promptly. Our highly-trained technicians will get your home or business back to normal as quickly as possible.
Types of Biohazards
1/6/2021 (Permalink)
A yellow biohazard sign
Many different biohazardous situations can occur in a home. Sewage backing up into a home is the most common biohazard problem. However, there are some less-frequent problems that may require special attention. In this blog, we will discuss two of these issues: Animal infestation, and hoarding. While many people think that these are not biohazard situations, they can each present health and safety risks that must be handled carefully.
Animal Infestation:
Animal infestation happens when non-pet animals take over your home. For example, birds or raccoons making nests in the attics or mice making their homes in your walls. Having these unwanted guests is not only damaging to your home, but it can be harmful to your health as well. Some animals can act as disease vectors, bring illnesses with them. Their droppings may also contain dangerous microbes that can cause disease.
Hoarding:
You’ve seen the hoarding shows on TV, and some people are wondering if that stuff is real. Well in some cases, it’s very real. There are a few different types of hoarders:
“Clean” hoarders that collect an excessive amount of stuff, but they generally keep a clean house. You normally see this in elderly couples’ homes, where they have collected many items over a period of decades.
“Dirty” hoarders that have a substantial excess of property and garbage in their home, and have lost control of the cleanliness of their living space. There may be piles of dirty dishes and trash everywhere, as well as large amounts of spoiled food. Insect and rodent infestation is a common side effect of this type of hoarding.
Animal hoarders. These hoarders have a large amount of animals in their home. They typically can’t keep up with cleanup of the animal waste, or the animals’ basic needs. This can result in dangerous amounts of bacteria from animal waste, and present a substantial health hazard.
Hoarding can cause permanent structural damage in a home. But the greater concerns are the health and safety risks involved. There can be air quality issues caused by mold or bacterial growth. Proper cleanup and waste removal are critical to bring the property back to a state that is safe for occupancy.
If you know someone that is dealing with any type of biohazard issue, SERVPRO of Casper has trained, certified technicians available to help anytime.
Holiday Cooking
12/3/2020 (Permalink)
A table that is full of a holiday meal.
Holiday cooking can be a lot of work, but it can also be very enjoyable. There is a lot that needs to be considered when it comes to doing a big holiday meal. How many people are coming? Do you have enough food? What time should you start cooking the bird, and all of the side dishes? With all these decisions, and the holiday conversations and chaos, safety is often forgotten.
Believe it or not, cooking is the number one cause of home fires during the holidays. The American Red Cross has come up with a list of safety items to do, so you have a safe and happy holiday.
Make sure you have a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on every level of your home, and inside and outside of any sleeping rooms if you sleep with the doors closed.
Don’t wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.
If you’re frying, grilling, or broiling, don’t leave it unattended. If you leave the kitchen, make sure someone is in the area or turn off the stove.
If you’re simmering, baking, or broiling food, check on it regularly.
The timer is your friend. Be sure to set it when cooking to remind you that stuff is in the oven.
It is best to keep kids and pets away from the cooking area.
Keep anything that can catch on fire away from anything that generates heat. Oven mitts, pot holders, wooden utensils, bags, towels and curtains are examples.
Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis. This helps prevent grease build up.
Make sure you double-check all your appliances before going to bed. You want to make sure everything is shut off.
It is a good idea to get a fire extinguisher to put in your kitchen in case of an accidental fire. Make sure you purchase the proper type of extinguisher, and know how to use it.
We at SERVPRO of Casper want to wish you all a very safe and happy holiday season!!!
Ladder Safety
10/9/2020 (Permalink)
A homeowner on a ladder cleaning his gutters, with his wife holding on to the ladder for safety.
There’s a lot of safety risk when it comes to climbing on ladders. Falls from portable ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. The following is a list of safety tips and suggestions to make sure you, and everyone around you, stay safe.
Make sure you read and follow the instructions on the ladder.
Look for overhead power lines before moving the ladder. Don’t use metal ladders near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment.
Always do an inspection on your ladder before use. If something is broken or bent, either replace it, or get it repaired. If it’s a commercial ladder, make sure you tag it and pull it off line so another co-worker doesn’t grab it and use it.
You should always keep a 3-point contact when climbing (two hands and a foot, or two feet and one hand). Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing.
Make sure you use the right ladder and accessories for their designed purpose.
The ladder must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps, or feet.
Don’t use the top step/rung of a ladder as a step unless it was designated for that purpose.
Use a ladder only on stable/level ground, unless the ladder is secured to prevent displacement.
Don’t use boxes, barrels or other unstable bases to gain extra height for the ladder.
If the ladder needs moved or shifted, make sure that everyone and equipment is off of it.
The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall or other vertical surface.
If using the ladder in a place where it can get displaced by other work activities, make sure it’s secured.
Keep all traffic away from the area around the ladder.
Make sure that the locks on the on the extension ladder are properly engaged.
Be aware of the weight capacity of the ladder, and don’t exceed the maximum load. You need to take into account your weight and anything you carry on it.
Take a few minutes before getting on your next ladder by doing that inspection, and being mindful of its placement. By following these suggested ideas, serious injury can be prevented.
IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification)
9/1/2020 (Permalink)
IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification
In the fire and water restoration business, it is important to perform all work in accordance with industry standards. Standards create a set of best practices to ensure restoration work is effective, and protects the health and safety of both workers and occupants. In the restoration industry, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the certifying body in the United States.
The IICRC develops and maintains standards for many facets of property restoration. It is the most utilized technical information in the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. IICRC is ANSI-accredited, and recognized by some local, state and federal authorities.
Certification classes are taught by IICRC-approved instructors. There are over 25 certifications and continuing education requirements to maintain certification. This helps us keep all certified technicians refreshed and updated on any changes that may arise in the industry. SERVPRO of Casper is an IICRC Certified Firm. We are listed in the IICRC global locator, which is accessed by consumers and industry professionals.
A list of Certifications that is offered:
Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
Applied Structural Drying Technician
Building Moisture Thermography
Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician
Carpet Cleaning Technician
Commercial Drying Specialist
Color Repair Technician
Floor Care (Hard Surfaces) Technician
Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician
House Cleaning Technician
Odor Control Technician
Rug Cleaning Technician
Resilient Floor Inspector
Resilient Flooring Maintenance Technician
Carpet Repair and Reinstallation Technician
Senior Carpet Inspector
Stone, Masonry and Ceramic Tile Cleaning Technician
Trauma and Crime Scene Technician
Upholstery and Fabric Technician
Wood Floor Maintenance Technician
Wood and Laminate Flooring Inspector
Water Damage Restoration Technician
If you want to learn more about the IICRC, please visit IICRC.org.
First Aid Kits
6/22/2020 (Permalink)
First Aid Kit with bandages, wraps, tweezers, scissors.
Accidents happen when you least expect them. Because of this, you should always keep a first aid kit in your vehicle and home It is also important to know the location of the first aid kits in your workplace. A well-stocked first aid kit can help you provide critical assistance in an emergency.
When it comes to a first aid kit you can buy them commercially, or make one of your own. If you decide to buy them, they come in all shapes and sizes. You want to make sure that you keep an inventory of your kit. This is especially important of workplace first aid kits, where multiple employees may use some of the smaller items in the kit from time to time. If you get kits that have medicine in them, keep an eye on the expiration date for those products.
Whether you’re buying or making them yourself, the following is suggested by the American Red Cross for a family of 4:
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5X9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10yards X 1inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
- 5 antiseptic wipes packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 emergency blanket
- 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pair of nonlatex gloves
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
- 1 3in gauze roll bandage
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 3inX3in sterile gauze pad
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4X4 inches)
- Oral thermometer
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- Emergency first aid guide.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
1/22/2020 (Permalink)
Photos of Slip, Trips, and Falls.
Slips, trips, and falls are the number one cause of injuries in the workplace. When someone gets injured on the job, not only does it hurt the employee physically and financially, but it also hurts the employers through increased insurance rates and lost productivity.
Typical locations on the body for slip, trip, and fall injuries:
- Knee, ankle and/or foot
- Wrist and/or elbow
- Back and/or shoulder
- Hip
- Head
Typical Injuries:
- Sprains and strains
- Bruises and contusions
- Fractures
- Abrasions and lacerations
Some common workplace trips:
- Uncovered hoses, cables, wires, or extension cords across aisles or walkways
- Clutter, obstacles in aisles, walkway and work areas
- Open cabinet, file or desk drawers, and doors
Human Factors:
- Carrying or moving cumbersome objects, or moving too many items at one time
- Not paying attention to surroundings or being distracted
- Taking unapproved shortcuts
- Being in a hurry and rushing
- Failing eyesight and/or visual perception
- Age
- Stress or Illness
- Medications, alcohol and drug effects
Measures to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls:
- Design of workplace & work processes
- Design workplace and processes to prevent potential exposures to slip & trip hazards
- Good housekeeping
- Maintain clear, tidy work areas free of clutter
- Safe walking practices
- Follow safe walking practices and routes
- Wear proper footwear with good traction
Bio-hazard Clean Up
1/3/2020 (Permalink)
Crime Scene Tape
SERVPRO of Casper is trained and equipped to respond to any type of biohazard situation. We can clean up crime scenes, hoarding, animal and human waste, and unattended death. This is not the most pleasant part of our job, but it is critical that it is handled properly. Here are a few types of biohazards, with an explanation of what they entail.
Unattended Death:
When a loved one passes away, and discovered after the fact, some cleanup is often necessary. We are aware that this situation can be very stressful for friends and family of the deceased. The technicians at SERVPRO of Casper respond to these jobs with compassion, and perform the necessary services quickly and safely. It is our goal to provide our cleanup services in a caring manner, and to try to alleviate some of the stress, allowing you and your family to move forward.
Hoarding:
Hoarding can often develop into a biohazard situation. Excessive household garbage and spoiled food are common in a hoarder house. This can attract insects and rodents, and dangerous bacteria can be present throughout the home.
Other Types of Biohazards:
Sewage backups, certain medical emergencies, and crime scenes are examples of other biohazards that require special attention. Bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens may be present. Special cleanup procedures and products are critical to ensure the health and safety of the occupants of the property.
If you have a biohazard problem that requires immediate attention, call SERVPRO of Casper anytime. We can respond rapidly, while handling the situation with dignity and respect.
Smoke Alarm Install
12/27/2019 (Permalink)
Smoke Alarm attached to a ceiling
There is often a lot of confusion about the proper placement of smoke alarms in a home. Sometimes, homeowners will put an inadequate number of alarms in their property. Putting a single smoke alarm in the kitchen, or just one in a hallway, is not enough to protect yourself adequately.
Modern homes have far more plastic items and synthetic fabrics than they did just a few decades ago. Some of these plastics can burn much faster than natural materials. This means that a fire in a modern home can spread very rapidly. Properly-utilized smoke alarms can give your family the advance notice they need to safely escape a house fire. Here are a few tips on the proper placement of your smoke alarms.
- Don’t buy knock-off brands. Make sure you get alarms that have a label from a recognized testing laboratory.
- Place a smoke alarm in each bedroom, and outside the door of every sleeping room on all floors including the basement.
- When placing one in the basement, place it on the ceiling on the bottom of the stairs going up to the next floor.
- Don’t place smoke alarms closer than 10 feet from cooking appliances. Any closer could set off false alarms when cooking.
- Mount alarms high on walls or on the ceiling. If mounted on the wall, make sure it is 12 inches away from the ceiling.
- Don’t install a smoke alarm near a door, vent, or window. Drafts may interfere, and cause the alarm to not work properly.
- Keep smoke alarms free from debris, wall hangings, stickers, or paint.
After holiday cleaning tips
12/26/2019 (Permalink)
Sink full of after holiday dishes
Cleaning Up After the Holidays
Cleaning up after the holidays can be a lot of work, but it’s necessary work. You want to start your new year with a fresh clean house, and not a house full of messes caused by the holidays. Here are some suggested things to do to help clean up.
Clean Up After Guests:
- Give all the surfaces in your home a nice deep clean
- Wash all the linens
- Vacuum all your carpet (you could even call SERVPRO of Casper to clean your carpets!)
- Mop your floors
- Clean out your refrigerator. Once you’re done with the last of your leftovers, then clean and store your leftover containers.
If you have a natural Christmas tree, here are some tips on how to get tree sap spots out of of your home:
- If you get sap on your clothes, knit gloves or rugs, put some rubbing alcohol on the area and run it through the laundry with warm water. Repeat again if it all doesn’t come out.
Clean and Store Decorations:
- Make sure you have enough tote boxes, and appropriate boxes for all of your decorations.
- Throw out any broken lights or decorations. No sense of keeping broken stuff, it will help declutter things. (Unless the item is sentimental, of course.)
- If you have decorations for certain rooms in your home, make sure you label your boxes for what room they belong in. This will make decoration setup go much more smoothly next year.
Flu Season
12/9/2019 (Permalink)
Flu Season Ahead
As we go about our day-to-day working routines, we come into contact with a lot of other people. During the cold and flu season, germs can spread rapidly from person to person. Preventative precautions during this season can help protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick.
Ways to protect yourself during the flu season:
- Get vaccinated.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Wash your hands often. Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze in your upper sleeve. Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones and computer equipment.
- Try not to use a coworker’s phone, desk, office computer, or other work tools and equipment.
- Avoid shaking hands or coming in close contact with coworkers and others who may be sick.
- Stay in shape, and get plenty of rest.
- Speak with your doctor and find out if you’re in a high risk category for seasonal flu.
- Participate in any wellness training offered by your employer.
Nobody likes getting sick, so do what you can to protect yourself and others.
Safety tips on Holiday Cooking
10/23/2019 (Permalink)
A table with a roasted turkey surrounded by all the holiday fixings.
The time for holiday cooking and baking is here! There will be cookies, candies, turkeys, hams, and all the sides a person could imagine. Family and friends will gather, reminiscing about the year’s accomplishments and events. But all of these things lead to distractions, which can cause some potentially dangerous situations. House fires, smoke damages, and injuries increase during the holidays. Here are some safety tips on how to make sure you have a fun and safe holiday season.
- Don’t wear loose clothing or sleeves while cooking.
- If you’re frying, broiling, or grilling, never leave it unattended.
- If you’re baking, simmering, roasting, or boiling food, you’ll need to check on it regularly.
- Set a timer so you don’t forget that item you left in the oven.
- Make sure that kids and pets stay clear of the cooking area.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire clear of heat sources. Examples of this are pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packages, towels, and curtains.
- Clean surfaces on a regular basis so grease doesn’t have an opportunity to build up. Heavy buildup of grease and oils can become flammable.
- Make sure you check the stove, oven, roasters, or any other cooking items to make sure they are shut off before going to bed or leaving the house.
- It’s good to purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.
Our team at SERVPRO of Casper hopes you have a safe and fun holiday season!!!!
Fire Assessments in Casper WY
2/6/2019 (Permalink)
Content Cleaning
When we get contacted to respond to a fire damage, our first step is to do an assessment. We look to see what is affected, how severely, and determine our initial course of action in the restoration process. If a fire has affected the structure severely enough that substantial construction will be necessary, we will typically start the job by packing out the contents from the property. Sometimes, this will be necessary in a few rooms, or a level of the house. On other jobs, it may be necessary to remove all contents from the property to make way for demolition and reconstruction.
Once the contents are packed out, we bring them back to our shop to be cleaned and deodorized. As part of the cleaning process, the contents may be treated with ozone or thermal fog to reduce smoke odor. Contents that were packed into boxes are unboxed, cleaned, deodorized, then re-packaged into clean boxes. Often, some of the contents cannot be fully restored, or restoration may exceed the cost of replacement. For these non-restorable items, we isolate them from the rest of the contents, and store them to be inventoried later.
After contents restoration is complete, the clean, deodorized household goods are stored in our temperature-controlled facility, and returned to the home once structural restoration has been completed.
Water damage demolition
12/20/2018 (Permalink)
Wet carpeted in a home
When a water damage happens, there are a lot of people who panic and start tearing out carpet and drywall. When a homeowner calls and asks if they should start tearing out wet materials, we typically tell them not to, because we may be able to save the materials.
Of the many factors that are in play on a water damage, one of the important ones is can we save and restore the wet materials? In most cases, materials can be saved. When we enter a water-damaged home or office, we start evaluating: what is the source of the water intrusion? Is the carpet holding together, or is it beginning to delaminate? Is the drywall falling apart? Are there wet ceilings that may collapse? Is it a safety risk?
If the carpet can be saved, we remove the pad from underneath, extract any standing water on the ground, and extract the carpet. We often “float” the carpet, by attaching the carpet to an air mover and blowing air under it. After the entire structure is dry, we replace the pad and re-stretch and reinstall the carpet.
If the carpet is not salvageable, we promptly remove the carpet and pad, and focus on drying the remaining wet materials.
If the drywall if shows significant weakness, especially the ceiling, we do need to remove it for safety reasons. Also, if there is a vapor barrier present behind the drywall, we may need to remove some of the drywall to effectively dry the framing and substructure.
When attempting to dry out wet drywall, there are many different methods that can be used. We detach baseboards and drill holes in the drywall below the baseboard line. This allows for easy airflow into the drywall, as well as the wall cavities. We also have an injection drying system, which allows us to directly inject dry air into the walls. This is a highly-effective method of addressing “hidden” water inside the walls and framing. It can also be used for hard-to-reach areas, such as the space under kitchen cabinets.
Before you start demolishing wet carpeting and walls in your home or commercial building, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Casper. Our restorative drying techniques can save a lot of your materials, and get you put back together more quickly!
5 Baking Safety Tips
12/7/2018 (Permalink)
Holiday Cookies
- D5 Baking Safety Tipson’t eat raw cookie dough. Don’t eat any kind of raw cookie dough. Even if it doesn’t have eggs in it, or it is prepackaged, there is still always a risk for food poisoning. Eating raw cookie dough is just not worth the risk.
- Wash your hands after handling eggs. When handling meat products of any kind, it’s important to prevent cross-contamination. One easy way to do this is to wash your hands with warm water and soap. Be sure to scrub them thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.
- Keep countertops clean. After rolling any cookie dough out on the counter, make sure that you clean and sanitize your counter top.
- Don’t let perishable ingredients sit on the counter for too long. Anything that comes from the fridge like eggs or milk needs to stay in the refrigerator for as long as possible.
- Before each use, perform an oven safety check.
- Make sure you do not smell gas leaking from a gas stove. If you do, open a window and leave the room.
- Make sure there is nothing in the oven. An oven should never be used for storage.
- Make sure that there are no food particles or grease residue on the stove top.
- Position your oven racks before pre-heating to prevent scalding.
Emergency Ready Profiles
11/21/2018 (Permalink)
Emergency Ready Profile
We have a program called ERP (Emergency Ready Profile). It’s a profile we put together in case of an emergency in your home or business. It’s good for employees, babysitters, or house sitters. The profile is designed to help people that have an emergency occur in their property. For example if you have water damage, and you need to shut off your water supply, the profile will show a picture of what the shut off looks like, and a description of where it’s at. It will also have contact information in case the home owner or building manager is not available.
WHY SERVPRO? We offer this FREE profile to anyone. All we need is just a little of your time, and we can make you better prepared for any type of emergency or disaster.
Employee Certifications
11/12/2018 (Permalink)
Employee Certifications
It’s important when hiring a company that you make sure that the company, and employees have the proper training to ensure that the job is done to industry standards. We are proud at the fact that we have our employees trained in any aspect of the job we come across. We have employees all the way from office to Owners trained.
Owners:
Jeff Sleep:
IICRC Certifications
Carpet Cleaning
Water Damage Restoration
Applied Structural Drying
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Journeyman Water Restorer
Carpet Repair & Reinstallation
Applied Microbial Remediation
Commercial Drying Specialist
Health & Safety Equivalent
Master Water Restorer
Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning
Journeyman Textile Cleaner
Odor Control
Journeyman Fire & Smoke Restorer
Master Fire & Smoke Restoration
Non IICRC Certifications
Subrogation Specialist
Trauma Scene Cleanup – Restoration Sciences Academy
Lead Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting
John Sleep:
IICRC Certifications
Carpet Cleaning
Water Damage Restoration
Applied Structural Drying
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Journeyman Water Restorer
Carpet Repair & Reinstallation
Applied Microbial Remediation
Commercial Drying Specialist
Health & Safety Equivalent
Master Water Restorer
Non IICRC Certifications
Subrogation Specialist
Trauma Scene Cleanup – Restoration Sciences Academy
Lead Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting
Technician Certifications:
Tyler A:
IICRC Certifications
Carpet Cleaning
Water Damage Restoration
Applied Structural Drying
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Journeyman Water Restorer
Carpet Repair & Reinstallation
Applied Microbial Remediation
Health & Safety Equivalent
Master Water Restorer
Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning
Journeyman Textile Cleaner
Odor Control
Journeyman Fire & Smoke Restorer
Master Fire & Smoke Restoration
Non IICRC Certifications
Employee Certification Training Program
- Crew training course
- Water Certification
- Fire Certification
- Carpet & Upholstery Certification
Lead Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting
Chad M:
IICRC Certifications
Water Restoration
Applied Structural Drying
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning
Carpet Repair & Reinstallation
Carpet Cleaning Technician
Non IICRC Certifications
Lead Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting
Employee Certification Training Program
- Crew training course
- Water Certification
- Fire Certification
- Carpet & Upholstery Certification
Guy N:
IICRC Certifications
Water Restoration
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Non IICRC Certifications
Employee Certification Training Program
- Crew training course
- Water Certification
- Fire Certification
- Carpet & Upholstery Certification
Chelsea W:
IICRC Certifications
Water Restoration
Non IICRC Certifications
Employee Certification Training Program
- Crew training course
- Water Certification
- Fire Certification
- Carpet & Upholstery Certification
Danyelle B:
Non IICRC Certifications
Employee Certification Training Program
- Crew training course
- Water Certification
- Fire Certification
- Carpet & Upholstery Certification
Amber V:
Non IICRC Certifications
Employee Certification Training Program
Office Staff:
Paula J:
Water Damage Restoration
Sara K:
Water Damage Restoration
Marketer:
Miamie S.
IICRC Certifications
Water Damage Restoration
Carpet Cleaning Technician
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Non IICRC Certifications
Employee Certification Training Program
- Crew training course
- Water Certification
- Fire Certification
- Carpet & Upholstery Certification
Emergency READY Profile
9/27/2018 (Permalink)
Emergency READY Profile
When you need your water, fire, or mold damage fixed quickly and correctly, call SERVPRO of Casper. We do mitigation and restoration services on both commercial and residential properties. We offer quality cleaning and quick response – that is the SERVPRO way.
SERVPRO of Casper can develop a free Emergency READY Profile for your business. This assessment of your commercial facility creates an immediate plan of action, in case disaster strikes. A compact portfolio contains all the information that you need for priority response. Important details such as key contacts, the location of shut-off valves and breakers, and priority areas in your building ensure that emergency services can begin quickly. With some prior planning, the professionals at SERVPRO of Casper can minimize the interruption to your business, and get you up and running again as soon as possible.
24/7 Emergency Service